Jose Mourinho imposes strict new rules at Real Madrid with harsh fines – report | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho has wasted little time imposing his methods at Real Madrid, with the Portuguese manager introducing strict rules around punctuality, training, recovery and nutrition.

According to Jose Felix Diaz, as relayed by Defensa Central, Mourinho has made discipline a central part of his approach since taking charge. 

The manager believes changes to the team’s daily routine are necessary to create the work ethic he expects from a Real Madrid squad.

One of the clearest examples is his approach to lateness, as Mourinho has abandoned the relatively small financial penalties previously used for players arriving late to training.

Instead, the consequences now directly affect a player’s footballing involvement.

Mourinho takes a harder line on training and recovery

As such, any Real Madrid player who arrives late to training outside the permitted arrival time will be punished by being sent to the gym rather than joining the main session.

Mourinho has brought in cultural change at Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Furthermore, the player will also miss the following match.

“Mourinho has eliminated the €200 or €300 fines for being late to training because he considers them ridiculous for people who earn millions,” Diaz explained.

The manager has also changed expectations surrounding injured players, as recovery is no longer something players will manage independently away from the club whenever they choose.

“The days of getting injured and recovering wherever you please are over, and if you need to continue your recovery in the afternoon, you work at Valdebebas,” explains the senior journalist

Furthermore, nutrition has come under similar scrutiny. Rather than players deciding what they want to eat, Mourinho has placed greater emphasis on following the club’s nutritional instructions.

“The days when the nutritionist was at the players’ service are also over; now it’s the other way around. 

The Real Madrid players have responded positively to Mourinho’s changes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“They no longer eat what they want, but what they are told,” Diaz said.

Real Madrid squad responds positively to Mourinho

So far, Mourinho’s methods appear to have been well received inside the dressing room.

The Real Madrid squad is convinced that the manager’s demands and tactical ideas are positive, with the majority responding by giving maximum effort during training and matches.

That reaction will be particularly encouraging for Mourinho, as his objective is not only to introduce rules for the sake of discipline, but to establish habits that can change the team’s mentality.

Fortunately, the early signs have pleased him, both at Valdebebas and during the matches.